Chicken Meatloaf is an amazing comfort food that doesn't take much time to prepare. It pairs well with a wide variety of side dishes, giving you the freedom to create a dinner meal every time you make it. Chicken is much leaner than beef, so this is a wonderful, healthy alternative for meatloaf lovers who want something that's less fatty but still delicious.
Chicken Meatloaf Recipe Essentials
- 🍽️ Course: Main Dish
- ⏱️ Cooking Time: 40-45 minutes
- 🍴 Servings: 4-6 servings
- 🧄 Flavor Profile: Savory and hearty with garlic, onion, Italian seasoning, and a sweet ketchup glaze.
- 🍚 Best Served With: Mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a simple green salad.
- 🧊 Make Ahead? Yes, it can be assembled in advance and refrigerated before baking.
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Meatloaf is one of my all-time favorite Sunday dinners, and who knew it could be just as yummy made with ground chicken? It has plenty of spices so it's not bland, and plenty of moisture so it doesn't dry out easily. I promise that your entire family will be pleasantly surprised by how amazing chicken meatloaf is!
Some other meatloaf recipes you should try are Mexican meatloaf and macaroni and cheese meatloaf.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's made using simple pantry ingredients: Most of the ingredients used in this ground chicken meatloaf recipe are pantry staples that you likely have on hand already, saving you money because you don't have to buy everything.
- It's easy to customize: Since this is a basic meatloaf recipe, it's easy to swap some elements, like the spices or glaze ingredients, to make it feel more like your own creation.
- It makes great leftovers: This meatloaf with ground chicken keeps and reheats well, so you can count on the leftovers tasting just as good as when it was freshly made.
Ingredients
The ingredients listed below are key to this recipe for chicken meatloaf. They are needed for the mixture as well as the sweet glaze that goes on top.
- Ground chicken: This is a leaner protein option to make the meatloaf a little lighter. A quick substitute that will work in a pinch is ground turkey.
- Breadcrumbs: Not only does this help to bind the meatloaf ingredients together, but it's also key for the structure. It ensures you can clean slices without them falling apart.
- Ketchup: I use this in the meatloaf mix and the glaze. It adds sweetness and acidity to the meatloaf and helps the glaze caramelize on top. If you want a homemade version, try this recipe for onion ketchup.
- Brown sugar: I also add brown sugar to the glaze to help make it a thick glaze. This way it sticks to the top of the meatloaf instead of dripping down the sides. The hints of molasses also provide depth of flavor.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- BBQ glaze: Swap the ketchup in the glaze with your favorite BBQ sauce to create a smoky flavor profile.
- Add cheese: Fold in ¼ cup of cheese into the meatloaf mixture for a little more flavor and cheesy texture.
- Meatloaf muffins: Divide the mixture into a muffin tin and bake them for 20-25 minutes at 375°F. This makes it even easier to serve a large group of people.
How to Make Chicken Meatloaf
Start by preheating the oven to 375°F and lining the loaf pan with parchment paper before you get started on this chicken loaf recipe. Also, make sure you let the breadcrumbs soak in the milk before you add the other ingredients.
Step 1: Combine the ingredients and form the meatloaf. Add all the ingredients for the meatloaf mixture to a large bowl and mix until they're combined. Then, gently press it into the prepared loaf pan.
Step 2: Top with glaze and bake it. Make the glaze and spread it on top. Bake it for 40-45 minutes or until it's fully cooked. Slice and serve it with air-fried little potatoes.
Step 1: Combine the ingredients. Add all the ingredients for the meatloaf mixture to a large bowl.
Step 2: Mix. Gently mix all the ingredients together just until they're combined.
Step 3: Transfer to pan. Gently press the meatloaf mixture into the prepared loaf pan.
Step 4: Make the glaze. Combine the ingredients to make the sauce in a bowl and stir to combine.
Step 5: Add sauce to the meatloaf. Spread the glaze over the top of the meatloaf.
Step 6: Bake it. Bake the meatloaf for 40-45 minutes or until it's fully cooked. Remove from the oven and let it rest before serving. Slice and serve it with air-fried little potatoes.
Expert Tips
- Avoid overcooking the meatloaf: Don't cook the meatloaf longer than needed. Once it's fully cooked in the middle, it should be taken out of the oven so it doesn't become dry.
- Don't overwork the meat mixture: Only mix the ingredients for the meatloaf mixture until they are just combined. If you overmix them enough, it can make the meatloaf tough and dense.
- Rest it long enough before serving: Allow the cooked meatloaf plenty of time to rest before you slice and serve it. Around 5-10 minutes should be enough, and this will keep the juices inside the loaf.
- Storage directions: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator or 3 months in the freezer. Keep it sliced or whole, whatever you prefer.
This air-fried turkey meatloaf is another leaner version that you should try.
Serving Suggestions
- You can serve this meatloaf with ground chicken alongside any vegetable you want. Some of my favorites are Brussels sprouts casserole and air fryer zucchini fries.
- Chicken meatloaf with jalapeno mac and cheese is another one of the best combinations.
- You can't go wrong with tasty bread on the side, like these air fryer dinner rolls.
Chicken Meatloaf Recipe FAQs
Just like any cut of chicken, cook it to 165°F. Use a meat thermometer and stick it into the center of the thickest part of the meatloaf.
Yes, but you will need to add another binder! My top recommendations are rolled oats or crushed crackers. Swap the breadcrumbs for 1 cup of crushed crackers or ¾ cup of oats.
Of course. Line a baking sheet with foil and form the meat mixture into a log that's about 8 inches long and 4 inches wide. Ensure that it is of even thickness so it bakes evenly.
I like to use the oven for multiple slices and the microwave for single servings. Add a splash of water to the pan and cover it with foil in the oven to add moisture and bake for 10-15 minutes at 300° F. Cover the meatloaf with a damp paper towel before microwaving it in 30-second intervals until it's heated through.
Absolutely! You may mix and shape the meatloaf, and then keep it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before you cook it. Allow it to sit at room temperature while the oven preheats, so it doesn't go in cold. You can also freeze it raw for up to 3 months. Thaw it out in the fridge overnight, before cooking it in the oven as directed.
More Comfort Food Recipes for Dinner
If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!
Chicken Meatloaf
Ingredients
Meatloaf
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- ½ cup milk
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup finely diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Classic Meatloaf Glaze
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a loaf pan by lightly greasing it or lining it with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and milk and let them soak for about one minute until softened.
- Add the ground chicken, egg, onion, garlic, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika to the bowl.
- Gently mix until just combined, being careful not to overwork the mixture.
- Press the chicken mixture evenly into the prepared loaf pan.
- In a small bowl, stir together the ketchup and brown sugar until smooth, then spread evenly over the top of the meatloaf.
- Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Let the meatloaf rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Cook your chicken meatloaf until it reaches 165°F. Check it for doneness with a thermometer in the thickest part for safety.
- Avoid overworking the meatloaf mixture when combining the ingredients, so it doesn't become tough or dense.
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